Recommendations & Advice Needed
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 551
Likes: 1
From: SW Montana
Recommendations & Advice Needed
I am looking at trading my truck for new F-350. Probably won't go lariet because I want true 6 person seating, and I need to cut some costs. Just wondering what gear ratios everyone is running, and pros and cons of different gears. Are the taller gears taking a toll on mileage, and the shorter gears killing towwing ability? Any problems with the trucks so far. I currently have an 05 6.0 that has been nothing but trouble. My cost per mile is well over $1.00 per mile driven. ( All stock) Not a good truck. I am hoping to get those costs more in the reasonable range with a new truck.
Thoughts and recommendations would be appreciated.
Thanks, John
Thoughts and recommendations would be appreciated.
Thanks, John
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 31
From: Idaho
Gears
I have a XLT CC LB 4x4 with the 3.31. I have had ZERO issues towing my 8000 TT. I can go up a 8 percent grade without any problem. The 6.7 with the six speed handles the mountains great.
I get about 12 MPG towing. This blows away my V10 getting 8 mpg towing the same trailer.
The dearler was right when he told me to go with the 3.31 gears.
I get about 12 MPG towing. This blows away my V10 getting 8 mpg towing the same trailer.
The dearler was right when he told me to go with the 3.31 gears.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
Definatly look at the 3.31, if that aint your cup of fancy the i highly recommend a 3.55, wich i beleive should be the min in all trucks, but the more powerful trucks get the lower gearing you can have and still be able to pull very well, just depends on what your doing? pulling or dd? highway? a dd for sure 3.31 but if your pulling with grades and not alot of highway itd be atleast 3.55. just depends what you do.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,267
Likes: 5
I am looking at trading my truck for new F-350. Probably won't go lariet because I want true 6 person seating, and I need to cut some costs. Just wondering what gear ratios everyone is running, and pros and cons of different gears. Are the taller gears taking a toll on mileage, and the shorter gears killing towwing ability? Any problems with the trucks so far. I currently have an 05 6.0 that has been nothing but trouble. My cost per mile is well over $1.00 per mile driven. ( All stock) Not a good truck. I am hoping to get those costs more in the reasonable range with a new truck.
Thoughts and recommendations would be appreciated.
Thanks, John
Thoughts and recommendations would be appreciated.
Thanks, John
How many miles on the 6.0?
Go with the 3.31.
I know a few guys that got it, unless your towing steady.
The 3.31 is awesome cause of the transmission.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
From: Sunny SOCAL SanDiego Area
I have a 2011 with the 3:55 ratio, 20" wheels, I pull a 15k toy box and the truck handles it with no problems, the six speed tranny makes short work of hills
I feel they have Engineered the truck to handle what most people would throw at it. Towing in the mountains I was getting 10 to 13 towing.
I feel they have Engineered the truck to handle what most people would throw at it. Towing in the mountains I was getting 10 to 13 towing.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,521
Likes: 11
From: Greenwood, SC
My cost while towing is .68 per mile. That includes oil, def, fuel, tires. I assume an average of 11mpg in that figure. I have 3.55 gears.
If you want the 20" wheels I think you're stuck with 3.55. If you want 18" wheels you can get either. But, I'm not real sure how the dually trucks are configured. I don't think you can get a 3.31 dually.
If you want the 20" wheels I think you're stuck with 3.55. If you want 18" wheels you can get either. But, I'm not real sure how the dually trucks are configured. I don't think you can get a 3.31 dually.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 932
Likes: 4
From: Edmond, OK
If you tow a fifth wheel with SRW you may be concerned with weight on rear wheels and tires; 20" have advantage. 3.55 if you go 20"
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-wheels-2.html
go to my post 47 in above link for the link to the page referenced.
Page 81 of document at above link has factory tire load ratings and factory wheel load ratings. Full specifications for rims and tires.
Below is summary of SRW ratings:
LT245/75Rx17 3195 lbs.
LT245/75Rx17 3195
LT265/70Rx17 3195
LT275/65Rx18 3415
LT275/70Rx18 3640
LT275/65Rx20 3750
17" x 7.5" J 3195 lbs.
18" x 8.0" J 3590
20" x 8.0" J 3590
Max Rear Axle Rating (ignoring springs, etc.; raw axle rating)
F250: 6200 lbs.
F350: 7280 lbs. (srw)
For 20" the tires will be the limiting factor; not the rims or axle as 2*3590=7180 lbs if for F-350; but the axle will be the limiting factor for the F250. (Ignoring other ratings by Ford for the load carrying capacity.)
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...le-ratios.html
from my post 7 in above link
The comparison that Ford did with the 2011 vs. the 2010 Chevy & Dodge had the 3.31 gears.
I think someone posted here or on other site that with the new six speed transmission having lower first and second gears (than the previous 5 speed) the 3.31 in first gear has an overall lower effective total gearing than previous 5 speed with 4.10 gears in first. I haven't personally done the math, but lets give it a shot.
gear 5R110 6R140
1st 3.11 3.97
2nd 2.2 2.32
3rd 1.54 1.52
4th 1.09 1.15
5th .71 .86
6th na .67
early 5R110 had 3.09 first gear
5 speed overall gear in first
w/ 3.73 11.60:1
w/ 4.10 12.75
w/ 4.30 13.37
6 speed overall gear in first
w/ 3.31 13.14:1
w/ 3.55 14.09
w/ 3.73 14.81
w/ 4.10 16.28
w/ 4.30 17.07
Pretty close with new transmission and 3.31 gears to old transmission w/ 4.30 rear gears as far as overall gear reduction and getting the load moving from a stop; ignoring the additional torque of the new engine.
I wonder why you can not get the 3.31 with 20" wheels when it looks like the spare with the 20" wheels is a 18" wheel.
I am leaning toward the 20" wheels as the tires have higher load rating than the 18" tires.
Bob
++++++++++++++
I have 20" w/ 3.55; no regrets; I was giving it all the same thoughts prior to buying my truck and coming from DRW back to SRW. Looking for better economy while solo but good towing performance. With my previous 06 SRW I had to have the fiver water tank empty or I was exceeding the rear tire capacity as weighed on the CAT scales with normal passengers in truck.
Bob
Bob
<!-- / message --><!-- / message -->
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-wheels-2.html
go to my post 47 in above link for the link to the page referenced.
Page 81 of document at above link has factory tire load ratings and factory wheel load ratings. Full specifications for rims and tires.
Below is summary of SRW ratings:
LT245/75Rx17 3195 lbs.
LT245/75Rx17 3195
LT265/70Rx17 3195
LT275/65Rx18 3415
LT275/70Rx18 3640
LT275/65Rx20 3750
17" x 7.5" J 3195 lbs.
18" x 8.0" J 3590
20" x 8.0" J 3590
Max Rear Axle Rating (ignoring springs, etc.; raw axle rating)
F250: 6200 lbs.
F350: 7280 lbs. (srw)
For 20" the tires will be the limiting factor; not the rims or axle as 2*3590=7180 lbs if for F-350; but the axle will be the limiting factor for the F250. (Ignoring other ratings by Ford for the load carrying capacity.)
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...le-ratios.html
from my post 7 in above link
The comparison that Ford did with the 2011 vs. the 2010 Chevy & Dodge had the 3.31 gears.
I think someone posted here or on other site that with the new six speed transmission having lower first and second gears (than the previous 5 speed) the 3.31 in first gear has an overall lower effective total gearing than previous 5 speed with 4.10 gears in first. I haven't personally done the math, but lets give it a shot.
gear 5R110 6R140
1st 3.11 3.97
2nd 2.2 2.32
3rd 1.54 1.52
4th 1.09 1.15
5th .71 .86
6th na .67
early 5R110 had 3.09 first gear
5 speed overall gear in first
w/ 3.73 11.60:1
w/ 4.10 12.75
w/ 4.30 13.37
6 speed overall gear in first
w/ 3.31 13.14:1
w/ 3.55 14.09
w/ 3.73 14.81
w/ 4.10 16.28
w/ 4.30 17.07
Pretty close with new transmission and 3.31 gears to old transmission w/ 4.30 rear gears as far as overall gear reduction and getting the load moving from a stop; ignoring the additional torque of the new engine.
I wonder why you can not get the 3.31 with 20" wheels when it looks like the spare with the 20" wheels is a 18" wheel.
I am leaning toward the 20" wheels as the tires have higher load rating than the 18" tires.
Bob
++++++++++++++
I have 20" w/ 3.55; no regrets; I was giving it all the same thoughts prior to buying my truck and coming from DRW back to SRW. Looking for better economy while solo but good towing performance. With my previous 06 SRW I had to have the fiver water tank empty or I was exceeding the rear tire capacity as weighed on the CAT scales with normal passengers in truck.
Bob
Bob
<!-- / message --><!-- / message -->
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 879
Likes: 0
From: at the truck pulls
If I were buying for business of towing hauling over the road a lot then I'd get the 3.31 too. The 20" tires will also eat you up in costs over a 17 or 18 rim size, at least I have found with the tires I buy.
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